Watching Mizoram has been one of the greatest delights
of this National Games. The little men in red are attractive, quick and
so wily that nobody has been able to stop them. They are just one
victory away from walking away with the gold here. What a ‘double’ that
would be!

They are also the reigning Santosh Trophy
champions. Mizoram surprised everyone when it triumphed at the National
football championship at Siliguri a year ago. It was its maiden Santosh
Trophy triumph.

“That was the happiest day in the
history of Mizoram sports,” said Victor Lalbiakmawia, a former player
who is now the team’s assistant coach.

“More than 15,000 people had turned up at Aizawl to receive the Santosh-Trophy winning team.”

That
victory was the result of imagination and hard work by the football
authorities in Mizoram. “The Mizoram Football Association has invested a
lot in grassroots programmes,” said Victor. “We now have excellent
academies which keep producing quality players.”

This
National Games team alone is enough to give us an idea about the depth
in Mizoram football. Only two players, David Lalrinmuana and William
Lalnunfela, were part of the Santosh Trophy team.

“We have many players to choose from, in different age-groups,” said Victor.

“The
Mizoram Premier League, which began in 2012, has also been a big boost
to the sport. Football is a passion for the entire State of Mizoram.”

Mizoram
has already produced stars such as Jeje Lalpekhlua, Shylo
Malswamtluanga, Lalrindika Ralte, Robert Lalthlamuana and Lalramluaha
Hmar. For a tiny State, with a population of just over one million,
Mizoram is indeed making some giant strides in Indian football.